Though you'll likely have to pay to get all the premium features of the best VPN services, there are many free options available that go a long way toward protecting your internet traffic. If it's the price tag that has prevented you from keeping yourself (and your internet traffic) safe with a VPN, you should definitely try one of these services.

What Is a VPN?

VPN software creates an encrypted connection (often referred to as a tunnel) between your computer and a server controlled by the VPN company, and then passes all network activity through the protected tunnel. This way, even if you are using the airport's Wi-Fi network, none of the other people on that network can see what's happening inside that tunnel.

This not only means that your data is safe from prying eyes on the network you're connected to, but that advertisers and online snoops won't be able to see your actual IP address or glean your current location. Instead, they'll see the IP address and location information for the VPN server. Even your ISP, which is likely trying to sell anonymized user information about you, will be blind.

Think of it this way: If you drive out of your garage, someone can follow your car and track where you went, how long you were there, and when you returned home. We call that stalking. Using a VPN service is like driving into a closed parking garage, switching to a different car, and then driving out. Anyone following your original car now has no idea where you went after entering the garage. A VPN service keeps the stalkers at bay.

Of course, no technology is foolproof. Once your traffic exits the VPN server, it can be monitored and perhaps intercepted—especially if you're connecting to sites that aren't using HTTPS. It's also possible, albeit difficult, to use complicated timing algorithms to predict when and where you leave the encrypted tunnel. There are other services, such as Tor, that can provide greater levels of anonymity.

And if you're exchanging sensitive information, consider using encryption software to secure it first or using an encrypted messaging service such as Signal.

Can a VPN Save Net Neutrality?

There's quite a bit of talk right now about whether you can use a VPN to protect neutrality. The idea is that, if you tunnel through your ISP, it won't be able to throttle your connection or charge you to access specific online services.

That makes sense on paper, but we will have to wait to see if it makes sense in real life. ISPs could simply throttle all VPN traffic, for example. The trouble is that we simply don't know how ISPs will handle the new latitude granted them.

The whole point of net neutrality is creating and enforcing rules for how most of the internet works, at least within the US. For us, the issue of net neutrality is a matter that should be decided on by Congress, and not one to be left up to individuals to solve, ad hoc.

Using a VPN to Watch Netflix

VPNs are often use to bypass oppressive censorship, but that same ability can be used to access streaming content that's not available in your country. For example: the Netflix we know here in the US isn't the same Netflix that people in other countries see. Overseas, Netflix subscribers see different shows and films on the streaming service that don't show up within these United States. That's because Netflix has specific deals to distribute this content in different areas.

Netflix isn't the only service that can be tricked. The BBC and the MLB have different streaming arrangements for different regions. There are numerous other examples and many of them—especially Netflix—will try to block VPN use to enforce those regional streaming deals.

This is particularly tricky for free VPN users. Most free VPNs limit the servers you can use, meaning you have fewer options (if any) to spoof your location. Free users will also have a harder time jumping to a different server looking for unblocked access or better speeds. Some VPNs offer servers specifically for watching Netflix, but not for free users. Another option to get around a Netflix blockade is to purchase a static IP address, which will almost certainly require a paid VPN subscription in addition to the cost of the static IP.

In short, streaming media with a VPN is hard, and doing it with a free VPN is even harder.

Paid VPN vs. Free VPN

Very few VPNs offer a truly free option. Most give you a few days before they simply start billing you. However, the services in the tables above and below really will provide VPN protection for free. But just because it's free doesn't mean it's not without some hitches.

Every VPN listed here restricts its free version. Some services limit the amount of bandwidth you can use in a given period. Some keep the number of devices you can connect simultaneously low, generally to one or two. Some restrict you to certain servers, meaning you can't jump to a better performing server, or a server in a particular location.

Performance is an important consideration in choosing a VPN service, especially when you're looking at free tools. While none of these services outright throttle your speeds, limiting the servers you can connect with may have an impact on performance. You don't have the option to jump to a server with fewer people, which would provide more bandwidth. Nor can you find a server that's nearby, which can also reduce performance.

Also, be sure to note the difference between money-back guarantees, free trials, and truly free software.

Paying for a VPN subscription typically unlocks all these features. You get all the servers in all the locations, and usually more simultaneous connections. To date, PCMag has yet to review a paid VPN service that limited user bandwidth—this is by far the biggest benefit to paying for a VPN.

Some VPNs will even throw in extra features that are only available at the paid tiers. If you're keen to get the most value out of a VPN, forking over some cash will help.

Browser-Based VPN

One recent innovation in free VPNs is offering browser a plug-in for free. These live in your browser, and are easily installed anywhere you're using a computer. It's great for securing your traffic when borrowing someone else's computer—just be sure to clean up, uninstall, and log out before you hand the machine back to its owner.

One word of caution about VPN plug-ins in general is that they offer only limited protection. They can only protect data from your browser, any other information broadcast from your computer over the internet won't have VPN protection. That's fine for most people, but it's important to understand the limitations of any technology.

This limitation can actually work in your favor. For example, if you want to secure your online activities but don't want to mess up an online game, a browser VPN will let the rest of your traffic pass unimpeded.

Trust and Technology

As is the case with most encryption technology, verifying the efficacy of a particular VPN's security is very difficult. True, we could monitor traffic to confirm that it's encrypted, but that really doesn't tell us much. If, for example, the fundamental execution of the encryption scheme is flawed (either in how it is set up or how the math works) there would be almost no way to know it.

Free VPNs definitely have some baggage, since not all VPN providers turn out to be good actors. Some VPNs may have unseemly practices, if not outright unsafe ones. We rely on companies to act in good faith, and for third-party researchers to ferret out the companies that don't.

In general, we prefer providers that use OpenVPN or IKEv2, both of which are comparably new technologies. OpenVPN has the benefit of being open-source, and has thus been picked over for any possible vulnerabilities. IPSec is also acceptable, and is a lot better than the older PPTP. If PPTP is the only option, or you can't figure out which protocol the VPN uses, that's reason for concern.

We also look over the service's terms, conditions, and privacy policy. It's a good way to find out what, if any, information the service collects. Ideally, a VPN company should say that they do not collect any logs on user activity. Make note of where the company is located, too, as location can dictate data retention laws.

Some VPNs have also undergone extensive third-party evaluations to ferret out security and privacy issues. TunnelBear and AnchorFree Hotspot Shield are two services listed here that have not only been audited, but have decided to share the results of those audits. Doing so is a strong statement from the companies that they are operating above board.

What's the Best Free VPN?

Every free VPN has some kind of catch, but ProtonVPN offers the fewest. A free account with ProtonVPN will limit you to just three VPN server locations, and one simultaneous connection. The ProtonVPN lists the speed of the free version as "slow," but you're not being throttled. You're just competing with more people for fewer servers, which may mean worse performance. P2P is not allowed at the ProtonVPN free tier.

Those are significant restrictions, to be fair, but at least your bandwidth isn't limited. You can browse as much and as often as you want with ProtonVPN, without spending a cent. Upgrading to a paid account costs as little as $4 a month, and undoes many restrictions. An $8 Plus account is still a great deal by VPN standards, and provides all the perks ProtonVPN has to offer.

The other services in this list have their merits and their drawbacks, but ProtonVPN is the best free service PCMag has yet reviewed. It has a lower score than some other products because at the paid tier, there are services that simply offer much more. But make no mistake: ProtonVPN is an excellent service whether you pay for it or not.

How Choose the Right Free VPN Service

There is plenty of variation even among free VPN services, so it's a good idea to try a few and figure out which one you like best. A great VPN service should be easy to use and understand, and shouldn't throw up too many barriers, even when you're using free software. Regardless of your choice, the important thing to understand is that you need a VPN. It's a simple way to make your personal information much safer.

Bottom Line: TunnelBear's VPN is a rare security product that doesn't force you to compromise between security and usability. It's friendly when you need it to be, invisible when you don't, and it doesn't skimp on security.

Cons: Few servers and locations. Difficult to find fastest servers. Full access to servers and features only at highest pay level.

Bottom Line: ProtonVPN doesn't have as many servers as much of the competition, but its focus on physical and digital security at an affordable price tag makes it a compelling choice. And its free version is the best we've tested so far.

Cons: Lacks mobile support. Few servers and few server locations. No ad-blocking. Doesn't work with Netflix. Not included in Kaspersky antivirus suite pricing.

Bottom Line: Antivirus company Kaspersky tests the network security waters with the easy-to-use new Secure Connection VPN service, but it's currently little more than a bare-bones offering at a bargain-basement price.

Bottom Line: Avira Phantom VPN secures the web browsing of as many devices as you like, and allows you to torrent to your heart's content, but it's light on features and likely won't please speed-conscious users.

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About the Author

Fahmida Y. Rashid is a senior analyst for business at PCMag.com. She focuses on ways businesses can use technology to work efficiently and easily. She is paranoid about security and privacy, and considers security implications when evaluating business technology. She has written for eWEEK, Dark Reading, and SecurityWeek covering security, core Internet infrastructure, and open source.